We had the good fortune of connecting with Alaine Nicole Shelton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alaine Nicole, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Something I have learned over the years. Is that no matter what life throws at you, you got to keep going!! Even on days when life feels impossible!!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Born and raised in Colorado, the mountains have always been part of my life.
When I was younger I was wild. I was addicted to drugs and partying. Living that wild life style led me to getting in trouble for drugs. After completing my community corrections sentence, I knew I wanted a better life and didnt want to make the same mistakes as before, so I moved out of my Hometown.
I started hiking and traveling. I was taking photos of hikes and my travels with my cell phone, at some point my mom gifted me a Canon Rebel. I began sharing my photos in many Facebook Groups and they blew up.
I then decided I needed to upgrade to a much nicer camera set up, after working 3 months of overtime, I bought myself the Sony A7R V when it came out.
My original facebook had gotten hacked ,so I had to start over on facebook , which was challenging at first.
Hiking, Traveling and most of all Photography have led me to quit smoking cigs and have helped me remain sober from drugs. As of now I have traveled over 180,000 miles all over Colorado,9 states,1 country, 12 National Parks,I have 14 14er summits , and over 60,000 photos of all my adventures over the last 5 years.
I will soon have an online store and more to come soon.

To anyone out there suffering from addiction or depression..you are NOT alone ..keep going !!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many places in Colorado to visit. To stay closer to the Denver area, a good day trip to Georgetown for Guanella Pass, Idaho Springs for some great hikes and ofcourse a mountain pie (pizza) from Beau Jos .
I would definitely say Ouray would be another weekend getaway. Ouray is a charming mountain town tucked in the southwest part of Colorado.While in Ouray, visit Box Canyon Falls,Hike the Perimeter Trail which takes you around the entire town, or soak in the Ouray Hotsprings. Driving the Million Dollar Highway is always an option as well. If you drive the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton, be sure to check out Rocky Mountain Funnel Cakes for fresh Funnel cakes and the best Huckleberry pie ice cream.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When it comes to my Photography journey a well deserved shout out to Candayce Abney aka Candy’s Captures. Candayce has always been positive,supportive and a great friend over these last few years. From helping me achieve my 1st milky way shot to suggestions with gear, she always willing to help me as well as others. In return for her kindness, I help her by being part of her Admin team for her Facebook Groups Colorful Colorado Collective, Colorful Colorado Creatives and Visual Wanderlust Collective.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alainenicolephotography?igsh=cm9zZjV3NzVzcWg5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16qLMdY53y/

Other: https://www.threads.net/@alainenicolephotography

Image Credits
All photos are my work.
Alaine Shelton of Alainenicolephotography

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